Haikyuu!: The Evolution of Tsukishimas Relationship with Volleyball

Key Takeaways

Tsukishima’s initial indifference to volleyball stemmed from his brother’s disillusionment with the sport.
Tsukishima’s growth as a valuable player came from blocking Shiratorizawa’s Ushijima, sparking his passion for the game.
Tsukishima’s commitment to volleyball evolved through experiences, culminating in a full embrace of the sport post-high school.

As a seasoned gamer and Haikyuu!! enthusiast who has witnessed the growth of various players, I must say that Kei Tsukishima’s journey from indifference to passion is one for the books. His transformation was not an overnight phenomenon but a series of events that unfolded beautifully over the course of the series.

In the anime series Haikyuu!!, Tsukishima, a member of the Karasuno volleyball team, initially differed from his teammates Hinata and Kageyama as he showed minimal enthusiasm for volleyball and generally had a negative disposition towards many things. Contrary to their fervor for the sport, Tsukishima’s attitude was indifferent. However, as the story progressed, Tsukishima transformed into one of Karasuno’s key players, demonstrating his importance when they went up against Shiratorizawa in the Haikyuu!! series by being named the most valuable player in that match.

Initially, he was quite relaxed on the court at Karasuno, but over time, he became increasingly passionate during matches and ultimately established a significant role within the team. This transformation wasn’t an instant process.

A Reluctant Start To Volleyball

Impact Of His Brother On His Attitude

Haikyuu!: The Evolution of Tsukishimas Relationship with Volleyball

Initially, Tsukishima wasn’t particularly passionate about volleyball when he entered Karasuno High. As a kid, he admired the game, but an event from his past had dimmed his enthusiasm. This change stemmed from his older brother, Akiteru Tsukishima, who was also a volleyball player. Akiteru frequently shared stories about the sport and how he practiced and trained daily. Tragically, despite his diligent training, Akiteru never made it to the starting lineup for the Karasuno High team. This disappointment prevented him from revealing this truth to Tsukishima. To maintain the facade, he never invited Tsukishima to watch him practice or play matches.

Due to the fact that his brother wouldn’t approve, Tsukishima covertly went to Karasuno’s final high school volleyball game. When he found out that his brother was not a regular attendant and had been pretending all along, he started to pull away from him. Moreover, despite having a deep passion for the sport, he was hesitant to play volleyball, fearing he might end up like Akiteru with his heart shattered.

Karasuno’s Challenge

Tsukishima’s Struggles With Team Spirit

Because Tsukishima didn’t have much enthusiasm for the sport, he wasn’t particularly keen on training and rarely gave his all during a game. Despite appearing arrogant, harsh, and self-assured, he actually harbored insecurities deep down. Whenever people compared him to Hinata, he would always admit that Hinata was superior, believing himself to be less skilled.

In terms of his personal battles, Tsukishima perceived volleyball as a game where unbridled excitement could swiftly turn into disillusionment, using his brother’s experiences as an illustration. Watching players like Kageyama and Hinata becoming overexcited, he considered them immature instead of passionate. His overall perspective on volleyball established a divide between him and the rest of the team. While they were focused on progression, Tsukishima fell short in the same commitment, leading to a gap in their development and approach to the sport. Instead of quitting the team, Tsukishima chose to stay and carry on training, implying that while he might not have been as enthusiastic as his peers, he still enjoyed volleyball.

The Block Against Ushijima

Tsukishima’s Rise As A Key Player

From the moment the freshmen joined Karasuno’s official roster, every game held significant stakes – honor, self-belief, and tournament progression. Among these games, the clash against Shiratorizawa, featuring their star player Ushijima, was crucial as it decided who would qualify for the nationals, making it a pivotal encounter for the team. Hinata, Kageyama, and their teammates played significant roles in this game, contributing to the victory. However, it was undeniably Kei Tsukishima who earned MVP honors.

As I stood there beside Hinata, Kageyama, and the rest of our fired-up Karasuno volleyball squad, my passion for the game started to flicker back to life. In our match against Shiratorizawa, I poured everything I had into it.

From Indifference To Passion

Tsukishima’s Full Commitment To Volleyball

Instead of instantly becoming devoted to volleyball, Tsukishima evolved gradually across multiple events throughout the series. An important turning point was Shiratorizawa’s Special Training Camp for First Years following their match. At this camp, Tsukishima significantly improved his skills as a player and teammate. Post-high school, Tsukishima maintained his enthusiasm for volleyball, even playing competitively in college.

Tsukishima Kei’s development as a volleyball player was significantly shaped by two key factors: firstly, the disappointment of his brother not succeeding in the sport, which later led him to realize how deeply he cared for it; secondly, understanding that his fear of failure had been hindering him. Facing the truth about his brother’s deception and acknowledging his own love for volleyball, Tsukishima ultimately found the courage to play independently, freeing himself from external pressures, thereby becoming a highly passionate and skilled player in his own right.

Haikyuu!! is available to watch on Crunchyroll.

2024-10-03 00:03